Marumoto Report To Kahala Residents

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Marumoto Report To Kahala Residents
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PRESS RELEASE
MARUMOTO REPORT TO KAHALA RESIDENTS
By Michele Van Hessen

HOW TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN KAWAMOTO
Marumoto's resolution (HCR 204 ) asking the City to assess high fines on people who own many homes and let them go to seed passed the House, but died in the Senate Committee on Transportation & Intergovernmental Affairs. Councilman Charles Djou, taking notice, will introduce such an ordinance in the City Council.

HCR 204 states that if a person owns several, say, 5 homes and amasses 5 or so violations in a one square mile area within one year, that owner can be assessed more than the $50 - $1000 for a violation.
This higher fine is necessary because a certain Japanese billionaire who owns two dozen Kahala homes has amassed 16 city property violations in 2009 alone! Apparently his people have been paid the Notice of Order on the first day incurring only a $50 fine. (Cheaper to pay one fine than hire people to constantly maintain all the empty homes.) If he neglected to pay, the City could eventually assess up to $1000, but by paying immediately, the crafty millionaire has evaded higher penalties.

For egregious cases and callous disregard to neighbors and covenants, forget the paltry $50. The City should clamp down on big time violators.

The homes that are occupied by Mr. Kawamoto's guests are well-maintained. It's the vacant ones that are overgrown, and attract unwanted visitors.

Another Marumoto bill, making it a misdemeanor to allow a residential property to deteriorate to the point that it is a visual blight, (HB 22 - Nuisance), made it through one House committee only to languish in the Judiciary Committee.

KAHALA BEACH VEGETATION
Morita/Marumoto legislation, (HB 1808) to allow the Department of Land & Natural Resources to ask beachfront owners to trim back vegetation that encroaches below the shoreline is still alive for next session. In some cases, the vegetation is encouraged grow seaward. Owners would be required to pay for the landscaping.

Beachgoers have complained about naupaka and hau that blocks access especially at high tide. Shrinking beaches, for whatever reason, has made this is a statewide problem.

TAX INCREASES
The Governor has vetoed a 2% increase in the hotel tax, an increase in the income tax for those who file jointly and make over $300,000, a 40% tax on tobacco products, and conveyance tax increases up to $1.30/$100 for properties from $2 10 Million. The Legislature overrode the Governor's vetoes so they will go into effect. Marumoto opposed these tax increases.

Michele Van Hessen
Cell 227-4332

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